If there is one thing in life, what is certain, it is this. Nobody is born knowing how to dance. We have an internal sense of rhythm and frankly some have it and some do not. It is true that not everyone is supposed to dance competitive and some will never refine their skills enough to make their way out of the mosh pit. However, there are those who have the internal sense of balance and rhythm. With appropriate guidance and inspiration of right, these people have the potential to become a phenomenal dancers.
Learn to dance is a process that works differently for different people. Some learn best by one in a statement. Others are able to learn simply by watching others dance. Some require a bit of competition to properly motivate themselves to push their limits and to really make everything dance. The good news is that there are lessons in dance and classes that are appropriate to the learning needs all different when it comes to dance.
That said, to dance on a competitive level it is likely that you will need to incorporate a little of all the different methods of teaching and learning for the best possible results. There is nothing wrong with watching others dance, and learning and diversion of inspiration in the beating they. You can also discover flaws, weaknesses and mistakes, by watching others dance and also learn those.
That being said, you'll never learn as many simply watching other dancers or instructions on a video as you will be in a classroom or one on one environment. The dance is fluid and there are some subtleties of the steps but it involved which marks the difference between a dancer with a certain degree of technical skills and a dancer really many other things. Things should be pushed and pushed to you, and only a qualified instructor can accomplish truly as.
The thing is most, who want to be dancers, should not just simply learn to dance. They need learn to feel the music and to use their body and the music to tell a story. This is what the dance is subject. Not the execution of movements even complicated. Dance should be an emotional outlet more than anything else. This is the way dance was throughout history. It is only in the last century or so that we have taken the dance in a sport rather than an art form and it has lost its power as a result. However, those who really understand the actual dance is delivering a message rather than movements are successes which simply cannot be matched.
If you want to learn to dance, you must carefully examine your reasons for doing so before deciding on your method of learning. I recommend strongly a little of all the different methods. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that if you learn more from an instructor you will be accused of need to unlearn bad habits. It is a thing of ego I think. Most of the instructors prefer novice rank so that they do not have to "unteach" of bad habits. Otherwise, you should choose the instructor, you will enable not only to teach you how to dance, but you are also encouraged to dance to the full extent of your potential. Those who are a little harder to find.